Sir Alex Ferguson: Fans are right

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been hit with a crippling injury list.

I think they (the fans) are right, but what can you get in January? I say this all the time, players that we like, we won’t get.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Supporters have piled the pressure on Fergie to bolster his squad in the transfer window following back-to-back defeats for the champions.

United have fallen behind Manchester City in the title race and been dumped out of the Champions League and Carling Cup.

To make matters worse, Ferguson has been hit with a crippling injury list.

Now he has admitted for the first time that he needs new talent, suggesting he made a mistake in failing to land Dutch star Wesley Sneijder in the summer.

Ferguson, who is plotting a swoop for Frank Lampard, said: “I think they (the fans) are right, but what can you get in January? I say this all the time, players that we like, we won’t get.

“So do you take a second-rate player? No, of course you don’t. I would rather stick with the ones we’ve got than bring someone in who won’t get a game because they’re not good enough.”

The Blues will be without key midfielder Yaya Toure for the FA Cup showdown because he has been told to report for African Nations Cup duty.

But Fergie reckons the Ivory Coast star will be in their starting line-up.

He said: “I’m not sure that Toure won’t be available. He probably will. I don’t know the whole background, but apparently he doesn’t need to meet up until Monday, I read somewhere.”

Ferguson has told Liverpool to forget about peace talks following the Luis Suarez racism row. The Reds are keen to meet United officials and smooth things over after Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra.

One of Suarez’s first games back after his ban will be the trip to Old Trafford next month and the Reds fear his appearance could inflame rival fans.

When asked about the fact Suarez has still not apologised to Evra, the Scot said: “You should ask Liverpool that not me. What does it tell you? You’d have thought they’d have come to Manchester United (for talks).”